A man goes 10 m due south and then 24 m due west. How far is he from the starting point?
The starting point of the man is B and the last point is A so we need to find AB. From the figure, ΔABC is a right triangle.
In a right angled triangle
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Base)2 + (Height)2
where hypotenuse is the longest side.
(AB)2 = (AC)2 + (BC)2
⇒ AB2 = (24) 2 + (10) 2 = 576 + 100 = 676
⇒ AB = 26 m
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